The iconic tower is set to reopen on Jan. 1, 2015

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A new generation of San Diegans will soon be able to climb to the top of Balboa Park’s iconic California Tower after it was shuttered nearly 80 years ago.

The city approved the San Diego Museum of Man’s plan to reopen the century-old, Spanish-style tower on Jan. 1, 2015. But first, the historic structure will need some remodeling and safety improvements.

A $3 million fundraising effort is underway to support the renovations, provide a long-term fund for the tower and invest in the museum, officials say. One third of the goal has been reached, thanks to the Legler Benbough Foundation’s pledge of $1 million.

“This is transformational not just for the Museum of Man, but also for Balboa Park,” said the museum’s CEO Micah Parzen in a release. “This will be the one experience all visitors, tourists and residents alike remember forever.”

It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places as part of the California Quadrangle, and the tower is recorded in the Historic Buildings Survey in the Library of Congress, according to the museum’s website.